The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) is a place of spectacular beauty as well as ecological and cultural significance, but right now it’s vulnerable to oil and gas development. These industries threaten to pollute our air and water, degrade public lands, and ruin an Indigenous way of life. As Mainers we value our public lands and the space they provide for recreation and wildlife conservation just Read More
global warming
Support of LD 1094, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Reduce Homeowner and Municipal Energy Bills through Increased Efficiency and Weatherization Projects
Good afternoon Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and distinguished members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. My name is Sue Ely, and I am a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am pleased to testify today in support of LD 1094, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Read More
Building the Grid of the Future to Power a Clean Energy Future
The future must be powered by clean, renewable energy produced here in Maine. Whether it’s running our heat pumps in our homes or powering the cars and buses we take to get where we need to go, we’ll need reliable, affordable, carbon- and pollution-free energy sources. Maine’s new Climate Action Plan lays out the strategies Read More
Acoustic Signs of Spring
The acoustic sounds of spring. This time of year, it’s hard to miss them, as birds are winding up to establish breeding territories and to attract mates. Do you have favorites? Maybe you have some that, when you hear them, make you say, “Yup, spring has arrived!” For us, there are many. The first whistled Read More
NRCM and NWF Ready to Partner with Secretary Haaland to Protect Public Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 15, 2021) — The U.S. Senate’s bipartisan vote to confirm Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior demonstrates a commitment to restoring the nation’s public lands and honoring Tribal commitments. The National Wildlife Federation pledged to work with Secretary Haaland to tackle the challenges facing America’s public lands and the department, including Read More
LD 226, Limit the Use of Hydrofluorocarbons To Fight Climate Change
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 226, An Act to Limit the Use of Hydrofluorocarbons to Fight Climate Change. Eliminating Potent Read More
Support of LD 437, An Act to Establish the Maine Healthy Soils Program
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and distinguished members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is David Costello. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 437, An Act to Establish the Maine Healthy Soils Program. Improving Maine’s Soil Health: A Read More
Biden-Harris Inauguration a Hopeful Moment for Maine’s Environment
If the Day One Executive Orders of the Biden-Harris Administration are any indication, we are about to experience a new era for America, one based in science, truth, and respect. This was made very clear during the Inauguration on Wednesday January 20, 2020. Importantly, President Biden understands that we must act quickly to confront the Read More
A New Day for Climate Action in DC
Over the past four years, the clean air and water that fuels Maine’s economy has been threatened by the Trump Administration’s relentless rollbacks of more than 100 environmental safeguards and their refusal to hold corporate polluters accountable. Meanwhile, Mainers continue to experience the impacts of climate change first-hand, whether it be rising seas, extreme weather, Read More
